Collating-feeder.



c. G. PRHCHARD,

CO'LLATING FEEDER.` APPLICATION men'mmzf. me.

Ppented Apr. 15,V 1919.

l0 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

' C. G. PRITCHARD.I

`COLLATING FEEDER. APPLICAHON FILEDy MAR. 2L. '1916.

1,300,295. f Patented Apr.15,1919.

l0 SHEETS-SHEET l.

und

. rvc. G. VPRIICIIIIIIDI "COLLATING FEEDER.

APPLICATION FILED III/m21. I9Ie.

LSUQQES.

Patented Apr. 15,1919( c. G. 'PRHCHARU GLLM'NE FEEDER. .wmlcmwm mm1 MAR. 2s. was

Tateted Aupr. 15,1919

Ml l

CQG. PRHCHARD. CULLAUNG FEEDER. APaucAlow FILED MAR; 21.1916.

Patented A111115, 1919.

ard

1.0 SHEETS-SHE'ET I G.

UNITED STATES 'PATENT oiiEicE.'

CARL e. PR'ITCHARD, or WARREN, omo, AssieNoR To THE HARRIS AUToiviATIc iREssV COMPANY, or N1LEs,dHIo, A CORPORATION or: omo.

' .QOLLATINGQEEEDER.- I

i spcification of Letters Patet. Patented Api-15,L1919- Application-medMarch,21,l1916.` SerialNo. 85,653. i

To Vall whom t may vConcern -l Be it known that I, CARL G. `PR1TCHARD, a

citizen of the United States, and a resident of Warren, in the county of Trumbull and State 'of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collating-Feeders, of which the following is a specication.

My invention relates, in its broadestiaspect,

to mechanisms especially designed to segregate and collate paper stock, vfor eXainple, cards and envelope into a predetermined order, such stock being-taken from a plurality of separate, piles, and thereafter combining the segregated' stock in predetermined ordeil`- and feeding same to a printing-press on,

other imprinting device used in connection Y, with printing-presses. Iii` the United States Patent No. 1,113,483 issued October-13, 1914:,l I have described and claimed printingpress for numbering and dating cards or.

envelops printed for weekly .offerings in churches in which the dating mechanism was changed vin each cycle of operation ofthe press, While the numbering mechanism was changed at predetermined points, or once in eachcycle of operation of the dating mechanism. i

The objects of my linvention are, as .a-practical embodiment and employment of my' invention, to provide a collating feeder for such numbering and dating printing-presses for weekly collection envelope for churches, whichshall first segregate the Proper number of envelops foreach lof the' quarterly v different styles of printing thereon, and belio periods of the calendar year, the separate envelope for the respective quarters having ing. retained in separate piles, from which my feeder 'takes the predetermined number of cards or envelops from' 'each of the separate piles for each consecutive quarter, and thereafter combines same in their proper order to forman assorted packageof 52 or 53 envelope, according 'to the' calendar for the' particulariyear. f

A further ob]ect is to provide simple and highly efficient mechanism, for handling the separated envelops'a's they are segregated vand 'thereafter collated 'and-brought to a common-point in the feeder vpreparatory to' delivery to. the printing-press 'or llike machine.

i inafter fully set forth and 'particularly pointed out in the claims.

with the shaft;

These land other objects will be here-.

The accompanying drawingsreferred to herein, and forming a part thereof, show'an yembodiment of the invention lin connection press or othery machine.-

. 'I4`igure- 1 is a side elevation of the colla-v tor,`ja portion'of fa printing-press being also indicated;

Fig. 9, is a 'rear view of the' device; l i' Fig. 3 is an enlarged front view of that i portion of the device which collects the sev-4 eral pilesof 'envelops and delivers them to a central magazine; i A l Figs. 4 and .5 are diagrammatic views illustrating the operation of vone'of the pile Fig. 64 is a diagrammatic. view illustrating devices;

Fig. 7 tisafn enlarged diagrammatic sectional .view illustrating one of the envelop- `the operation of one of the piledepressing 'operation thereof, and also a portion of the extractingV devices, means to control the device for throwing `out the.l clutch ofthe printing-press;

Fig. 8 is a perspectiveyiewof the lower 'portion of one of the, envelop-extractors,

supporting shaft' therefor, and the clutch which operatively connects the extractor FigQ 9 is a sectional view thereof', the clutch shifting fork' being valso shown;v4

F ig; '10 is' a diagrammatic illustrationy of the relative setting ofthe master disks which control the operation of the envelop-extractors;

view, the section 1 being taken on aline 11--11 in. Fig. 3 showing the several envelop hoppers and magazines; l

Figi-,121 is a sectional view thereof, the section being taken Aon a line 12-12 `in, Fig. 11;

Fig. 11 is .an enlarged sectional top' plan 'envelop-ejectors;

Fig. is a sideielevationl of the upper portion of the collator. looking fromfthe Fig. 19 i' a similar view illustrating the operation' o one of the'pile-depressing devices;

'F ig. 20.is a` vdiagrammatic View illustrating the operation of oneofthe clu-tchthrow-- out operating devices; i y

Fig. 2l is a detail view illustrating 'the mechanism for throwing out the clutch;

Fig. 22 is a diagrammatic end -view illustratingthe operation ofthe pile. pushers;

Fig. 23 is asimilar View illustrating one "pusher as having delivered its piles of envelpps to the central magazine;

Fig. 24 is a detail view illustrating the manner of supporting the pile pushers;

Fig.' 25 is a diagrammatic view lillustrating a'portion of the clutch mechanism ofthe 'printing-press, and also the operating means therefor which is a part of the collator;v

Fig. 26 is a plan view thereof, the operatin'g device therefor being omitted;

Fig. 27 is a fragmentary side view show'- ing a modified form of drivingmechanism for the `pusher cam shaft; and

Fig. 28 is a fragmentaryend View thereof looking 'from the right in Fig. 27.

Simllar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several fi ures. f

Referring to the drawings, the collating feeder or collator, consists of the side frames 1 which are secured together by suitable cross-bars to produce a rigid structure,

which shall support the various parts and mechanisms constituting'the feeder proper. The side framessupport, in thisinstance, four hoppers 2, 3,4 and 5, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, in which the cards or envelops to i be printed, numbered or dated, are stacked.

In the present embodiment of .my invention, the hoppers 2,3, 4 and 5', as positioned'in my feeder, correspond to, and represent, the first, second, third and fourth quarterly periods of the calendar year. The respective cards or envelops for the four hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5, as. shown in Fig. 3, are laced in the respective hoppers by an atten ant as fast as the piles diminish, and the envelops are carried one by one, in order, from the hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5, to their corresponding magazines, 6, 7, 8 and 9 respectively, as

fing t shown in Figs. 1,14.y theflfloors ofthe!` respective magazines being Iinclined up# wardly toward a central magaie'ilfl, from whichv the assorted envelops, instacked formation, are consecutively delivered, one by one, to the printing-press `11, as shown Yin Fig. 1, which may be .the printing-press shown in my Patent N0.. 1, 113,483, before arranged in'the different magazines accordthe number f Sundays in the quarterly period of three months, being either 12, 13 or 14, according to the calendar forthe yea-r. The'form of mechanism for carrying or eje'cting the predetermined 'number of envelops from each hopper,' comprises a series of ejectors 12,13, 14 and 15, arranged to coaet `with the hoppers 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively, as shown in Fig 2. v For example,

` should there be twelve Sundays in the first quarter of the year, the ejector 12 would 'reciprocate vtwelve times, thereby carrying twelve envelops 'from the pile in the hopper 2; .if there should be thirteen Sundays in vthe ne'Xt quarterly period, the ejector 13` for the magazine would operate thirteen strokes. In like manner, the ejectors 14 and v15, for' the 'magazines 4 and 5, are arranged to operate so 'that each will make as many strokes in c oaction with their respective magazines 4 and 5, as there are Sundays in the respective quarterly periods of the calendar year, which eachset of hoppers, magazines and ejectors represents. The 'total number of strokes of the four ejectors 12, 13, 14 and 15 will be either fiftytwo or 'fifty-three, according to the number of Sundays in the year.

The number of strokes made by the several ejectors 12, 13, 14 and 15 is controlled by master disks 16, 17,`18and 19 respectively, shownin Fig. 2, and the form and structure of these disks are illustrated in dctail in Figs. 14, 15 nd 16. The disks 16, 17, 18 and 19 are moiinted and keyed to the shaft 20 journaled in tl1'e |fra1ne 1, one end of which carries a i/atchet gear 21, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the other end carries the miter gear 22 meshing with the miter gear 23 mounted on the shaft 24, which carries a crank arm 25, as shown in Fig. 13. The shaft 20 has an intermittent step-by-step rotation which is produced by the operation of the ratchet-paw] 26 carried by the bellcrank lever 27 loosely mounted on the shaft 20, as shown in Figs.' and 2.

The bell-crank leve' 27 is connected by a link 28 which engages the crank-pin 29 on .the crank-disk 30 carried by the shaft 31,

journaled in the frame 1, as shown in Figs.

1 and 2. The shaft 31 is actuated by means of a rack 32 which engages the gear 33 onl the-shaft 34, journaled in the frame 1,- ask shown. The rack 32 is carried on the upper end of the link 35,1which is connectedv tothe crank-pin 36 secured to the'wheel 37, mounted on the shaft 38, which supports the impression-cyli-nder 39 of the printing-press 11. To actuate the shaft 31,-the'shaft 34 carries an arm 40 which is connected to the arm 41 on the shaft 31 by the link'42. Dur-v ing'the operation of the press 11, the'rack 32 will be reciprocated in each cycle'of operation of the press, thereby imparting tothe 'shaft 34 an oscillating movement whichl will, in turn, bel communicated to the shaft 31 byl the devices just described.` Furthermore, the oscillation of theshaft 31 will produce a similar movement of thebell-crank lever 27 loosely mounted on the shaft- 20, as' has beenahereinbefore described.

` Theoscillating movement 'of the lever 27 1 `is designedto be suiiicient only to -cause the .pawl 26 to advance the ratchet -gear 121 a single tooth in the direction of the arrow 43 y shown in 1, during each stroke "of the lever.27.

The ejectors 12, 13, 14 and,15, are similarly constructed,l as shown. in the igures, and are' loosely mounted upon the shaft 31.

"These ejectors'doI not reciprocate lso as -tp carry envelopsfrom their respective hoppers unless connected to the shaft 31 by means of' clutches`44v (shown in Figs. 8 and 9)', the operation of "the individual clutches Abeing controlled by its corresponding master v disk -mountedgimthe shaft 20.` To cause! the clutches ..44 to operate, so as to connect the ejectorsl with `the oscillatingshaft 31, V ,the

master disks 416, 17, -18 and 19 are each pro-l vided with an annular flange 45, as shown in Figs. 14", 15and 16, 'which Yhas an opening v 46-formed therein, which co'perates with caused by the u'pward movement of the-arms l the arms 47 ,loosely mounted on the cross-bar s 48 secured in the frame 1, as shown in'Fig.2.

The arms 47,- tliroug'h links 49, are connected to their respective clutch shifters`50 piv'otedto blocks 51 mounted on the bar 52, as shown in Fig. 7. The operationof the clutches 44, by being moved to the `left in Fig. 2, is'

47' when the ends 53 of said' arms 47 are lforced ,intothe opening 46 of the respective disks 16, 17, 18V and 19, by springs 54 coiled.

l about the bar `48,`as shown in Fig.` 2.

" Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, the oscillating clutches 44 are formed to hayve clutchdogs 55 formed in their upper portion, which dogs have vsocketsi56 adapted to hold the engaging pins 57, which are yieldingly held in their respective sockets 56 by coil springs 58; The pins-57 are adapted to engage with suitably shaped openings 59 formed in the blocks 60, whichcarry the ejectors l2, 13,414 and 15,

tion.

so as to connect the-corresponding-oscillat-'.

ing clutches 44 with the ej ectors. The safety pins, or stops, 61, are suitably mounted in the blocks 60 to enable the respective ejec- .tors tov remain in their inactive, or rest, posi tion when required, since should any onefoct the ejectors be displaced orpushed partially Y forward from any cause while in its idle pps,-l

sition on the shaft 31, the first -return move#y ment of the corresponding clutch 44, which is constantly oscillating, would contact with the respective stop 61 and cause the corresponding ejector to return 4to its idle posi' `When any one of the clutches 44 engages `its corresponding ejector`12, 13, 14 or 15.,y ythis particular 4ejector will be reciprocated forwardlyl and backwardly by the oscillat# ing shaft 31, land will `continue its reciprocation until the corresponding controller 'arm :47 is'ca'rried out of the opening 46 formed Iin the flange 45 of the corresponding master 1 disk, the arm 47. resting on theflange 45, as

shown in Fig. 14. It is apparent that the y :rotation of the master disksforces the arms 447 out of the opening 46throu`gh contactof the arms withthe flanges 45. vThe openings 46, in each disk, are about one quarter of the circumference or. ninety degrees,

which will equal thirteen teeth on the gear` vwheel 21., which has 52 or 53 teeth in its periphery, according'to the number of Sundavs in the calendar year. Hence itfollows envelops to be carried from the hopper alining with the particular ejector which is be-,-

ico

ing actuated. `The arm 47 will be forced downwardly and out of engagement with the opening 46, thereby disengaging; the copei-,

ating *clutch 44 from its ejector, at the end of the thirteenth stroke. In F ig. 7` the ejector12 is shown in its normal or idle position,l

set on the shaft 20' to cause the respective vejectors 12, 13, 14 and 15,' to come to rest at .some instances one or more of the ejectors should make only twelve strokes, while the others should be actuated 13 or 14 times,

blocks 62 are provided at one end of the openings 46, as shown in Figs. 14, 15 and 16, which are detachably securedto the disks lengthenv the peripheries of the flanges 45, whereby the. operation. of an ejector controlled by'wa disk having its opening shortened `and the respective disks 16, 17, 18 and 19 are f 16,.17, v18 or 19 by set screws 63. The blocks 62 vserve -to shorten the openings 46 andA by'a block 62-will be less than that of another ejector controlled by a disk the opening in .which is unblocked. In other words, the

number of strokes for any particular ejector will dependaltogether upon the lengths of the'anges and openings of the diferent disks through the different blocks 62. For

example, should the ejector 12 require only twelve strokes, .as would be predetermined, the disk 16 would be suitably blocked to meet the requirements for such twelve strokes, and in like manner each `of the remaining disks 17, 18 and 19v would4 be. blocked in a similar manner to cause its respective ejector 13, 14 and` 15 to make the requisite number of lstrokes to lcomplete the fifty-two or fifty-three strokes, according to the'number of teeth inthe ratchet gear 21. It is obvious that if the openings 46 are unblocked, it would require fourteen strokes of the lever 27 to rotate the shaft 2O suiiiciently to cause the edge 64 of the opening 46 to engage the beveled edges 65 of' the arms 47 in the rota-v tion of the disks in the direction shown in Figs. 14 and 15. Consequently-the particular ejector controlled by the arm'would make fourteen reciprocations before that particuwith a yieldable linger 66, as shown in Figs.

7, 18 and 20', which is adapted to engage the v flaps of the successive envelops, the pile of 'envelops in the .diHerent hoppers being stacked therein with their flaps down, as

- the hopper 2 to the magazine'6. When the shown in Fig. 18. At each forward stroke of an ejector, the finger 66, yieldingly mounted on the upper end thereof, will engage the flap of the lowermost envelop and carry same forwardly from the hopper to the corresponding alining magazine, as shown in Fig. 18, the particular envelop in this instance being carried by the ejector 12 from linger 66 is withdrawn from engagement with the flap upon the backward stroke of the'ejector, the envelop will fall by gravity through the magazine 6 and rest on the bottom members 67, as shown in Fig. `18. The separate magazines 6, 7, 8l and 9 are preferably constructed with side plates 68 and 69, and'bottom members 67 having an opening i 70 therebetween for a purpose to be hereinafter described. As is shown in Fig. 12, the bottom ymembers 67 of the magazines 6, 7, 8 and 9 are angularly disposed and upwardly inclined toward the central magazine l0. -To

enable the successive envelopsto be properly guided from their different ho pers' to their respective magazines, curve guides 71 are provided, shown in Figs. -18 and 20, which have pivoted latches 72 se` cured thereto to prevent a backward movement of the segregated envelop when the lingers 66 are withdrawn from the envelop flaps by the backward stroke of the ejector.

As is shown in F.ig. 22, twov of the magazines, in this instance, 6 and 7, have received their full quota of genvel'ops from the hoppers 2 and 3 respectively, while the magazines 8 and 9 are empty.- Since my collator and feeder is particularly designed to collate envelops for the separate quarterlyperiods of the calendar year, it is necessary to fill eachof the magazines 6, 7, 8 and 9, from the lthe alining hoppers' 2, 3, 4 and 5,.with the requisite predetermined number of envelops for the particular quarters as has been hereinbefore set `forth, andfinally' collect the separate piles in successive order to form the assorted package for the whole year. vTo avoid all unnecessary movements and idle strokes in my feeder, to the end that it may operate rapidly and in an eiiicient manner, the hoppers for-the separate piles of envel- .ops for the four quarters of the year, are preferably arranged as shown in Figs..12 and 22, on either side of the central magazine 10 in which the envelops are finally assembled in order to 'be delivered to the printing-press 11. In the present embodiment of my invention, the envelops for the first quarter are segregated and assembled in magazine 7, for the second quarter in magazine 6, for the third quarter in magazine 9, and for the last quarterly period o'f the year in magazine 8.

-It is apparent that the different magazines should not be filled simultaneously since the time required to deliver the proper quota of envelops already assembled in two of the magazines on one side of the magazine 10, to such central magazine, is utilized to yfill the remaining magazines on thek opposite side. For example, while the envelops in magazinesl 6 and 7 are being laterally pushed and delivered to ,the magazine 10, magazines 8 and 9 will be rec/eiving their predetermined number of envelops from the hoppers 4 and 5 respectively. As `shown in Fig. 22, the first and second/ quarter/ magazines (7 and 6) have been filled up with their quota of en- I velops which are ready to be delivered to the magazine 10. l

To deliver'these assembled envelops to this central magazine 10, push fingers 73 and 74 are provided, as shown in Figs. 11 and 22. These fingers are' carried by the slide 75,

4shown in Figs. 3 and 22, mounted in guides 7 6.

on the frame 1. The slide 7 5`is laterally reciproca-ted by the link 77 connected at one end to the slide at 78, as shown in Fig. 3, and at plates or -the oppositeend at 79 to the crank-arm 25, 130

as shown in Fig. 2. The fingers 73 and 74 are carried by blocks 80 and -81 respectively pivotally supported by pins "82 and 83 re spectively carried by hangers 84 vand 85 'respectively, as isv shown in detail in Fig. 24,

which are affixed to the slide 7 5. The iingers andf74'are respectively lowered-,at proper times by the .springs 86 coiled about the-pins 82-and 83, and are raisedfat the proper times by 'pins'i87 carriedbyarms` 88 loosely mounted on thel pivot pins A82 and 8 3, f as shown in Fig. 3. The springs 89 serve to force the arms 88 downwardly, the said arms 88 being forced upwardly toraise the fingers 73 and 74. by the xed'rails -90 showngin Figs.-

3, 4 and 5, which ared carried bly the crossbar 91 secured at its ends to t e frame 1I The openings 70, between the bottom members 67 of the diiierent magazines, are

adapted to -receive the lower ends yof the push 1ingei's'73 and 74 when the fingersare lowered, as shown -in Figs. 22 and 23.

During the operation .of the ejectors y12,

1 3, 14 andl, the slide 75 will be recipro- 'cated laterally,A carryingwith it .the fingers 7 3 and 74,'bnt thesengers will' beA alter.

nately' raised andl lowered "through such .I movement by the rails 90 and springs. 86, as has been described.A In F lig.'22, the slide 75 .has completed its movement tothe .lef t and the finger 74 has delivered the envelops assembledin-the magazinesv 8 and 9 lto the central magazine 10.` Durlng the reciprocation of. the slide V75 from' the right position 'toward the left, the finger 74was 4lowered and the finger 73 -was raised; in

' this movementof theA 'slide' and' fingers, the magazines 6 andiwerev being filled with their quota ofenvelopa'and by the timethe finger 74 has reached the limit of itsmovement,"the magazines 6 and 7 will 'be filled Y' with their predeterminednumber of'envelops from' the hoppers 2-andf3; The finger 73 was maintained in its upraisedpo'sitio by its arm 88 ridin along' theA rail 90, the

pin'87 carried by this arm vcontacting with,

and holding, the'inger 7 3 uplifted, as ,shown in Fig;O 5. Approximately at the'time the slide 75 inishes its'v stroke to the left, the a rm`88 will drop *o ii'1the rail 9 0, thereby allowing the spring 86 to force the :finger of envelop's in the magazine 6, as shownin Fig: 22. The action of these parts,-as Just described, is shown in detail in Fig. 4. Dur- .ing the-return vmovement of the .slide 7 5,

`the envelops in the second quarter pile (magazine 6) will be pushed Yonto the en- Velopsof the first quarter pile (magazine 7), as shown in Fig.` 23, and during Athis stroke the inger 74 Will be raised by its arm` 88 riding upon the rail 90, as shownin Fig.. 5, thereby permitting the magazines 8 and 9 to receive their predetermined quo-ta of envelops. It is obvious that both the raising and lowering of the fingers 73 and 74 will be a quick action,- 'sincev the arms.88 :are

caused to drop `oft the rails 90 quickly v through 4theforce of the springs v89. A foontinued movement of the lfinger 73 to the rightwilll push.,` both piles of envelops from the magazines and 7, to aposition over the centralmagazine 10, intowhich the envel- 'ops-will drop, as shown in 23,

In order to keep ,the twopiles of Aenat itsends in the framel, as shown in Figs. i' l3 and22.` The opposite-ends ofA the slide 93" 'are engaged by the two hangers 85 to. re-

ciprocate 'the bar 92 the width of the. magazine `10,* las shown vin Fig. 23. Therefore,

' this bar 92 and fingers 73 and '74 serve 'fto -alinethe' piles in proper .position'beforev they drop into the magazine 10. -AThe bottoms of the'- respective magazines are inclined to permit the piles fromthe magazinesl Gand V8 to be readily positioned overf-,the respective `.piles formed in *magazines 7 fand9; also to cause the segregated envelops to fall-andaline against the outer Vwalls of the: magazines.v

To enablethe envelops inl the outer magai l zines 6 and y8 to be transferred inwardly over the envelops inf the magazines 7 lalnd8 re,- spectively, when lthe final l delivery movementto the central magazine 10 Atakes place, it becomes desirable, and, in fact, necessary,

to ldepress the already assembled quota of envelops in theinner magazines 7 and 9.

This may beaccomplished the following mechanism: Laterally projecting pins96 and 97 are secured to the upper ends ofthe pivotal arms 98 and 99 respectively,` which aret shown inigs.3, l1v and 22. TheseV arms'.98 and 99 are Vcarried by blocks 100 and 101 respectively, which are ailiXed to the bar lOl-"L4 secured in the'fra'me 1,1as shofwn 'in vFig.V 1 1. The pins 96and 97 pass through c l'irvedL slots 102 and 103 respectively,

formed in the `iront wall of the magazines 6, 7 ,18 and 9. The arm`s98 and 9,9 .are def pressed by bars 1047and 105 respectively, [which are carried by,the rail 106 secured to,V

hangers 107 aiiiXed to the slide 75, as'shown .A i

in Figs. 1 and 3. The bars 104 and 105are carried'by links '108 pivoted `to the rail. 106,`

as vshown "in Fig-3. When moved toward theright, the bar 104 will be caused through the links 108 to strike the pin 109 on the arm 9 8. after which a continued movement ofthe slide 75 will 'cause the'arm 98 to swingJ downwardly in the direction of the arrow 110 shown in Fig. 22, causing the pin 96 to depress the pile of envelops in the magazine 7 to the dotted line position shown in Fig-.

` either side of the magazine 10, the dlsks 1 8 22, thereby permitting the pile in magazine 6 yto be readily transferred to the superimposed position through vthe movement oftheA finger 73. As is shown in detail in Fig. 6, the bar 104 will finally ride over the pin 109 Ion the arm 98 and hold this arm depressed. At the end of the delivery stroke the bar 104 will ride off the pin 109` allowing the spring@ 111 (shown in Fig. 11) to restore the arm to its normal position. The samel operation occurs with respect vto the arm 99 carrying the pin 97'; lwhenthe slide 75 moves toward the right,"the bar 105 will strike the pin 112 A on the arm 99, but will not depress the arm 99 since the bar 105 will swing to the left, until it passes over this pin 112, there being no stop-pins torprevent this bar 105 from swinging in this direction.

To procure the alternate operation of the two sets of ejectors for the magazines on' and. 19 are keyed upon the shaft 20so that y the position of the openings 46 therein is inadvance ofthe openings 46 inthe disks :A 16 and v17. This enables the disks 16 and 17 to operate at the same time, whereby the yejectors 112 and 13 are simultaneously actuated to fill their respective A magazines 6' and 7. Meanwhile the disks 18 and 19 are set to cause their ejectors' 14 and 15 to remain idlewhile the magazines 6 and 7 are receiving their predetermined quota. It follows, therefore, .that one set of magazines 6 and 7 )fwill be filling while the piles from the other. set are-being delivered to the magazine'l-O, and vice versa.

1t is also necessary to rovide against the failure o f an ejector, s ouldany particular ejector fail to carry an envelop 4from its hopper, forany reason, that is, should vthe ejector make a stroke without carrying the envelop, whereby the printing-press may be stopped without throwing ofi the impres.- sion, since it is obvious the consecutive numbeijing mechanism should not be thrown out of time with respect to the envelops that are being fed to the press. To accomplish this result, a clutch throw-out mechanism is providedwhich comprises the fingers 113 shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 18, carried by blocks 114 secured to the bar 101% The fingers 113 are pivoted to said blocks 114 and areprovided with pivotally mounted guards 115 (Fig. 17)`V having flanges 116 which are adapted to pass through, openings 117'cut in'the front wall of the magazines to contact with an envelop, `as shown'in Figs.. 3 and A18.- The arm 118 of each finger is connected to its corresponding ejector 'by a link 119, one end of which passes loosely through the pivotal block 120 on the `arm 118, as

shown in Fig. 18. The other end of the link 119is connected at 121 to the corre? spending ejector arm, in this instance, the ejector 12. Each' finger 11'3 has secured to.

A in Fig. 21.

ries the'arm 129' which is'connected by the link 130 to\ the lever 131 secured on the press 11. The lever 131 supports the roller l132 which rides upon the disk 133 having a cam-spot 134,.,a's shown in Fig. 1. The camspot 134 is timed to rock thevshalft 128 tor cause the arm 126 mounted thereon to move toward the arm 125 to close the space between. the ends of the arms once in everyl .cycle .of operation of the press l11'. The

spring135-serves t0 pull back the lever 131 so that the roller is always in contact'with' the periphery of the disk 133, as shown in Fig. 1.

IDuring the reciprocation of the ejectors, the -fingers 113 will rise and fall in unison with the ejector strokes, and if there is' an envelop in contact with these fingers when the guards 115 enter into the magazines through the openings117, the block 124 will not descend to be contained within the space between the upper ends of the arms 125 and 126. However, should an -ejector fail to separate and carry forward an envelop, the fingers 113 would, through the action of the spring 136, shown in Figs. 1 and 25, enter the magazines -as shown in Fig. 20, and the block 124 would descend to the dotted line position shown between the arms 125 and 126 When the arm 126 is rocked forwardlythe arm 125 would also be rocked in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig.

I21, causing the arm 137 secured thereto to be rocked in the direction shown by the arrows in Figs. 1 and25.` This movement of the arm 137 in the direction shown, would cause the end of the arm'138 pivotally securedthereto, to move into the path of the cam-spot 139 shown in Figs. 25 and 26. This engagement with the cam-spot 139 would lmove the arm 138 outwardly, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 26, thereby actuating theclutch lever 140 outwardly to re-l lease the clutch mechanism 141, which would stop the press without throwing-off the impression.

It is apparent, therefore, through the4 operation of these'detecting fingers in connection with the respective magazines, if an ejector fails to separate and feed an envelopl from its hopper, that the press will be stopped without throwing off the impression, ,and withoutv disturbing the delivery operation from the central magazine. The links 119 which connect each ejector withits coperatin finger 113 are slidably mounted in their b ocks 120 to permit free play. This allows the fingers 113 to be 40 the cylinders of pulleddownwardly by their springs 136if the particulaiejector fails to segregate and feed forward an envelop to the corresponding magazine. When an envelopy is properly' fed Lto the magazine, the guards 115 will `contact with its forward edge 4and come to rest, and will thereafter be restored to `their normal position bythe linksy 119, just before the ejectorsreachtheir normal posi- As my 'improved collating-feeder is not to be confined forfuse with any particular type of printingLpi'ess or other like machine,. the

form of clutch withits coperating parts is not at all essential. The clutch mechanism 141, which IV have shown hereinyinconnection with the pulley'142,vis a well -kno'wn form of clutch that. does Inot require any detailed description. The arm 138 it may be moved outwardly by the cam-spot 13 9 to ac tuate the clutch lever 140-to st op the'press 11.

. Thelenvelops assembled in -the magazine 10 are taken `one by one therefrom by the ejector 144 carried by the'oscillatingshaft 34, as showninvFigs. 1 and 2. The ejector 144 carries on its outer end. a yieldinglingerv 145 which will engage the flap of the lowermost envelop in the magazine 10 in the same manner as the fingers 6 6 mopntedon the ejectors 12, 13, 14 and 15. These lingers 66 and 145 are pivotally mounted-upon their respective ejector arms -and are pressed upwardly against the guides ortracksiobthe respective' magazines by coil springs 146, asy shown.

feed roll-s 148,'thereafter to be forwarded to Fig. 1.

-To prevent the ratchet-gear 21 from being drawn backwardly too far 'by the pawl26,

and to lock same so thatv the ratchet-gear l-may not gain an extra tooth on account of oversthrow, I have provided a latching pawl 149 `pivoted in the frame 1 at '150, This pawl 149 so coacts with-the inclined teeth of the gear 21, as to be successively forcedl out of engagement with such inclined teeth by a tooth-by-tooth movement, when the gear 21 is',intermittently'l rotated the di-l rection of the arrow 43. To prevent the pawl 149 from jumping 4when my feeder is l running at high speed,thestop 151 is so mounted on the link 28, as shown in Fig. 1,

-. y vthat Yit will contact with and hold the pawl 1- 149 in locked position at the completion of' the upward stroke or movement ofthe link 6'0 28. Thisdevice enables the two paw-ls 26 Aand 149 to be locked in the teeth of the ratchetsgear 21, thereby rendering theoperation of my feeder positive. g

As shown in Figs. 18 and 19, each of the hoppers 2. 3, 4 and' 5, and also' the magazine is 20 pivoted at 143 to the arm 137 in order that The ejector 144-carri`es the 'en velop along they curved` tracks 147 tothe the press 11, as shown in 16, isprovided with yielding plates 152y ex:l

tending along the bottom on either ofV the respective ejectors. These plats @1152i serve-to maintain the flaps of the loweimaost envelop. in proper position to be engaged" by the 'eJectors operating between the plates, and-the envelops are .carried by the ejectors across the front bottom of the hoppers and magaz1ne10. Oppositethe rollers 153, in

vthe hoppers and magazine 10,1preferably secure the beveledplates 1 54 tbv the back boty betweenthe endspf the plates 152 and friction and retarding. lrollers 153 arranged tom part of these hoppers and magazine 10,

which plates act tofan the lower.envelops,

as shown in Fig. 18, thereby enabling thev respective ejectorsi to act .tobetter advantage in feeding the separate envelops,

Referring to'Figs.' 27 and 28, I have here'- shown a. Imodifiedl form of driving mechanism for 'the shaft 20, 'which ,is intermit# tently rotated in the construction shown'in thejformergures. "In this modified form, the `shaft `2 0 is continuously rotated or driven, .thereby placingless strain on the operating mechanism. of my. feeder when workinggat high speeds. The modified 'embodirnent of my invention as shown com# 'prises lthe follow-mgmechanism to accomplish afslow, continuousrotationV of the shaft 20: Mounted on the impression-'cylin `der shaft 38 of the press 11,-i's the spiral gear 155 .which engages with the spiral gear 1 56 secured to the lower end of the vertical worm-shaft 157, which is journaled in blocks 158 and 159 afli'xed to the frame l5 J@he sha-ft 157 making a complete revolution with each press; The upper end of revolution of the theshaft 157 has or ed thereon the worm 160,-which enmesheswith the worm-gear y 161 adjustably'. mounted onthe shaft 20.

The worm-gear 161 hasY` formed in its pei ripl`1ery'52-teeth or' threads, and adjacent thereto on the shaftj'20 is likewise adjustably ment;l this mechanismg. therefore, accom-l plished the same purpose and function as :the intermittently rotating ratchetfgear 21- vwithfits fifty-two or ifty-threefjteethin its periphery,`fbut, instead of 7the intermittent rotation of the shaft f2() with its thereonr mounted l.master disks, a slow continuous movement is imparted to this shaft and its connected devices, which is o f advantage when the feeder is operating at high speeds.

. pawlA 26 and .its'lop'erating mechanism, to

Theoperation of my feeder is substantially as follows: `Vhen the press 11 is operagain to its initial position with each cycle of operation of the pressll. Each of the four hoppers 2,.3,4 and 45 has received its supply of cards or envelops to be segregated and vcarried tothe respective magazines 6, 7, 8 and 9, and ultimately to the central magazine 10, to be there carried by the.

ejector 144 to the feed-rolls 148 ofthe press i1. The master `disks 16 i7, is and i9 have been mounted and keyed to the'shaft 20, the

pairl of disks 161and 17 being positioned alike, and also the'pair of disks 18 and 19, with the openings 46 of the respective pairs f 16, 17,'and 18,319, having a different relationship on the respective peripheries toenable the ejectors -12 and 131170' operate simultaneously while the ejectors 14 and 15 are idle, and vice versa,' as has heretofore been explained. A 1 .la

As the ratchet gear 21 is intermittently rotated, by the -pawl 26, inthe direction of the'arrow shownin Fig. 1,.the arms 47 cooperating with l,the disks 16 and 17 are ,simultaneouslyv forced, by their springs 54, into the'` openings 46 of these two disks, which movement 4operatively connects the ejectors 12 and 13, loosely mounted on the 'oscillating shaft131', through the respective individualclutches'44,to this shaft 31. This clutch -connection for Athe eJectors 12 and 13,` with v,the shaft '31, causes them to be reciprocatedforwardly and backwardly with each cycle of thepress to segregate and carry forward an envelop `from each ofthe hoppers 2 and3 respectively with each stroke of the-ejectors.. 12 and 13, depositing same in themagazin'es6 and 7 respectively. This 'ction'of the ejecto'rs. 12 and 1'3Vcontinues as long as the arms 47 connected therewith remain within the openings 46 of the disks 16 and-17 respectively. When thedisks 16 17 have been rotated .sufliciently through the carry .the edge 64 of the respective openL ings 46 against the beveled edge 65v of the arms 47,. these arms 47 will be movedA down- -jfforced from the openin on the peripheries of the anges`45,'as shown .6 0 "the clutches 44 for the ejectors 12 and 13,

wardly .and out of engagement with respective openings 46 -of the disks 16 and 17, causing the ends 53 of the arms 47 to be 46, and to ride in Fig.v 10. vThis movement releases at once and' they simultaneously and immediately cease feeding'the individual IAenvelops from the hoppers 2 and 3 to `the magazines' 6 and.

7 respectively, and come to their idle position, having separated and carried forward their predetermined quota of envelops from the hoppers 2 and 3 respectively.

Wliile'the ejectors'12 and 13 are idle. the ejectors 14 and'l come intooperation in due coursewhen the arms 47 operatively connected therewith are moved within the respective openings 46 of the disks 18 and 19, which 'actuate the ejectors 14 and 15 to carry the segregated envelops from the hoppers 4 and 5 to the magazines 8 and 9 respectively, in the same manner as has been described with relation to the ejeetors 12 and 13; therefore it will not be necessary to repeat the operation for the two ejectors v14 and 15.

When the predetermined quota of envelops has been stacked in the ma azines 6 -and 7, as shown ini Fig. 22, rea y to be transferred to the magazine 10, the slide 75 has. been moved toV its left position, as shown in Figse and 22, thereby brin .'ng the bar 92 into the position .shown in fig. 22, the finger 74 having just completed its full movement to the left, while the finger 73 has been raised, whereby the assembled piles in magazines 8 and 9 have been pushed to the left so as to drop into the centr'al magazine 1() as, shown. The finger 7 3 has now been lowered to the rear of the pile in the magazine 6, by having its arm 88 ride off the left-hand rail 90, as shown in Fig. 3.

The initial movement of the rail 75 toward the right will cause the bar 104 to engage' with the pin 109 on the arm 98, thereby depressing the `pin.96, as shown in'Fig. 22,

which action will compress the 'aile of en-l ceive their predetermined quotaof envelops.

vfrom the hoppers 4 and 5fthrough the operation of the ejectors 14 vand 15 controlled bythe disks-18 and 19 respectively. As the slide 75'moves farther toward the right, the .finger 73 is moved into the dotted line position shown in Fig. 23, and, at the same time, the left-hand hanger 85 engages the left end of the slide 93, which pushes the 'bar'92 to the right across the .width of the magazine 10, and the superimposed piles from the magazines 6 and 7 will drop into the central magazine 10,. all as shown in Qdotted lines yin Fig. 23. The bar 92 is there# by placed in position to aline the succeeding piles from the magazines 8 and 9 in con- 'nection withthe successive movement to the segregated envelopsin magazines() inv the same manner as thel piii 96 operates upon the pile in magazine 7, and the4 action of` this pin`97 is timed 'with relation to 'the' movement of the linger 74 to the leftiii the same relationship as` theacton of the pin,l

1,300,295 i l y w left of the' finger 74 ivvhicli'iactuates and pushes the tivo piles of envelope from tl'1e magazines S and 9 in the same manner asy the linger 73, as' has been heretofore eX- plained. The pin 97 depresses tliepile of 96 is timed With respect to the movement of the finger 7 3 to the right, tlierespectivepiiis I ejectorl144 is carrying the individual `en-q I cycle of operation of thepress.

and fingers coacting for the purposeheretofore described. i ,f i@

.Q ."ItLis manifest that the. alternate opera-l `tion' of the above-mentioned devices in .con-.

4nection 'With the two sets of ejectorsy 12 "and 13 on the one hand, and thejejectors `14 and l l'on the other, enables me to fil-l one seti of magazines` (for instance magazines @and V7),' `while the assembled piles from the other magazines 8 and 9 are beingv delivered to thc central magazines 10, and .vice v eisa.

and collating same in the magazinelO, the

velops in their predetermined. order-from vthe lower end of .the magazine lOLVWit/h eachv -cycleof'the press, so that there is a continuous feedof the assorted envelope along the tracks 147 to the fee'dffrolls 148 throughK the constant reciprocationlof; .this ejector;

144 in its oscillating movement about the a shaft 34,xthis ejector. at, all times delivering an envelop to the feedrolls 1:48, each The. operation of the modifi d construetion shown iny Figs. 27 and 28.*imparts. slow, continuous'movementto the .shaftZO and the master disks 16, 17, 18 and l9inounted thereon, instead, of the intermittentrota- .tionaccomplislied by the step-bystep movement of the pawl 26 on theratchet-gear 21,;` 'j The essential functions and operations o fJ the respective devices Will be practically the same as in the intermittent rotativemoveff. ments, and need not be repeated, since any slight changes' in the setting of the `diifereiit .'members'constituting my feeder Will be readily understood by thosey skilled in this-art. :From all thev foregoing1 itfwill. be funden 'V realizes and incorporates the various objects i offinventi'on and,- advantages hereinbefore vaiitafges.v

set'f rth, together yvith other objects and ad- ,e shown,` nor to any particular constructions by v'Which it has been` or 4vmay be carried into effect, 'as many changes and alterations may be inadein the'constriictions shown Without ,departing from the-mainprinciples' of the' invention, and without sacrificing its rchief advantages -In the ,appended claimsI have used theterins lsheet and sheet feeding may be ,used With'any articles capable of beingpindividually separated and segregated in predetermined order, and thereafter coli lated and fed to, any machine for any desired purpose. v

I claim as,.my.invention:-

l, In a collatiiig feeder, the combination with means for segregating a predetermined plurality A of slieets of 1impression-receiving material from each ofa plurality of separate -piles and associating same ina common pile, of means. for feeding thesheets from the common pile in proper succession. 2. In a collatiiig feeder, ,the combination with means for segregating a predetermined.

plurality of, sheets of impression-receiving i materiall from each of-ayplura'lity of sepav i rate piles and associating sameiii a common `While this part vof my feeder is segregatml ing the envelope from the respective hoppers pile in, predetermined order, of means for feeding the sheets from the common pile to a printing orlike machine.

3. In a collating feeder, thecombiiiationjy with means f oi` segregating .apredetermincd plurality of sheets of impression-receiving" material from each of a plurality of separate piles and associating samezin' a common pile,i of *means for feeding theU sheets from the common pile to a printing or like niachine with each cycle of operation ofthe machine. i y l 4; In a collating feeder, lthe combination inaterialfrom each of a plurality of separate piles and associating same lin acommon Witlimeans. for segregating a predetermined plurality of sheets of impression-receiving' ins pile iiigpredetermined order, yof means for i A'rate piles andi associating same ina common pile, of means for, varying the respective numbers of separate sheetsso fed from the different piles.

. 6. Inv a collating feeder, 'the combination with lmeans for segregating a predetermined plurality of sheets of\impressioinreceiving lmate'rialffrom each of aplurality of sepa#` rate piles and associating same in acomm'oii 'pile in predetermined order, of means forAv varying the respective numbersof separate sheets so fed from the different piles.

7. In a collating feeder, the combination With means for segregating a predetermined plurality of sheets of impression-lecciving 1material from each of a plurality of sepa-y l plurality of sheets of impression-receiving material from each of a plurality of separate piles and 'associating same in a common pile in predetermined order, of means for varying the respective numbers of separate sheets so fed from the different piles in e each cycle of operation.

9. In a collating feeder, the combination with means for segregating. a predetermined plurality of sheets of impression-receiving material from each of a plurality of sepae 'rate piles and associating same in a common pile, of means for'varying .the respective numbers of separate sheets so fed from the different piles, andmeans for feeding the sheets from the common or like machine.

10. In a collating feeder, the combination With means for segregating a predetermined plurality of sheets of impression-receiving pile to al printing \material from each of a plurality of separate piles and associating same in a common pile in predetermined' order, of means for varying the respective numbers of separate sheets so fed from the different'piles, and means for feeding the sheets from the common pile to a printing or like machine.

'11. In a collating feeder, the combination With means for segregating a predetermined plurality of sheets of impression-receiving material from each of a plurality of separate piles and associating same in a 'common pile, of means for varying the respective numbers of separate sheets so fed from the different piles, and means for feeding thev 'p sheets from the common pile to a printing or like machine `with each cycle of operation r'1f the machine.

12. In a collating feeder, the combination with means for segregating a predetermined ypluralit of sheets of impression-receiving materia `from each of a plurality of separate piles and associating same in a common pile in predetermined order, of means for varying t e `respective numbers of sepaf rate sheets so fed from the different piles,

- gate lmeans for feeding the sheets from the com- ,and means for feeding the sheets from the common pile to a printing or like machine With each cycle of operation of the machine. 13. In a'collating feeder, the combination With means for segregating a predetermined plurality of sheets of impression-receiving material from each of a plurality of separate dpiles, lof means for moving the segrepiles toward a common pile, and

mon pile to a printing or like machine.

- 14. In a collating feeder, the combination Withvmeans for segregating a predetermined plurality of sheets of impression-receiving material from each of a plurality of separate piles, of means for moving the segregated pilesV toward a common pile in predetermined order, and means for feeding the sheets from the common pile to a printing or like machine.

15. In a collating feeder, the combination with means for segregating a predetermined plurality of s heets of impression-receiving material from each of a plurality of separate piles, of means for moving the segregated piles foward. a common pile, and means for feeding the sheets from the common pile to a printing or like machine with each cycle of operation of the machine.

16. In a collating feeder, the combination with meansfor segregating a predetermined plurality of sheets of impression-receiving material from each of a plurality of separate piles, of means for moving the segregated piles toward a common pile in predetermlned order, and means for feeding the sheets from the common pile to a printing 0r like machine With each cycle of operation of the machine.

17. In a collating feeder, the combination with' means for segregating a predetermined plurality of sheets of impression-receiving material from each of a plurality of separate piles, of means for varying the respective numbers of separate sheets so fed from the different piles, and means for moving 18. In av collating feeder, the combination with means for'segregating a predetermined plurality of sheets of impression-receiving material from each of a plurality of separate piles in redetermined order, of means for varying tie respective numbers of separate sheets so fed from the different piles, and means for moving the then segregated piles toward a common ile.

19. In a collating feedler, the combination With means for segregating a predetermined plurality 0f sheets of impression-receiving material from each of a plurality of separate piles,.of means for varying the respective numbers of separate sheets so fed from the different piles, and means for moving lthe then segregated piles toward a common and means for moving the then segregated piles toward a common pile in predetermined order. e

21. In a collating feeder, the combination With means for segregating a predetermined 

